Ali Korane: Court Drops KSh 233m Graft Charges Against Former Garissa Governor

• The Director of Public Prosecution's application to withdraw corruption charges against former Garissa governor Ali Bunow Korane has been allowed
• Chief Magistrate Zipporah Gichana said the prosecution had followed all the legal procedures in their bit to drop the case
• DPP told the court that it was established that no public finances had been misappropriated under Korane's tenure as the governor

Nairobi - A Nairobi court has allowed the Director of Public Prosecution to withdraw a KSh 233 million graft case against former Garissa governor Ali Bunow Korane.

In a ruling, Chief Magistrate Zipporah Gichana said DPP had followed the right procedure in applying for the withdrawal of the eight charges against Korane.

"Having considered the application by the prosecution to withdraw the charges and the reasons given for the decision, I allow the application for the withdrawal of the charges as prayed," Gichana ruled.

DPP says no funds were lost

The magistrate pointed out that the DPP's main reason for withdrawing the case was that further investigations showed no funds from the county had been lost.

"That it was their conclusion after such further review that no public finances were lost and further that the projects intended to be carried out by the earmarked funds were actualised for the benefits of the Garissa constituents," the magistrate noted.

The former governor was, in 2021, charged with eight counts over the alleged misappropriation of KSh233,506,000 meant for a World Bank-funded project.

The charges allegedly involved a conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime, misappropriation of public funds and willful failure to comply with the law relating to the management of public funds.

However, the prosecution applied to withdraw the case saying they no longer desired to continue with the case under circumstances where new evidence showed no money was lost.

Mudavadi speaks on corruption

Elsewhere, Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) Musalia Mudavadi said Kenyans need a solution to end corruption.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, Mudavadi told President William Ruto to put aside promises and threats against graft individuals and act.

Mudavadi said the president needs to act decisively and tame corruption, especially in public service.

"The public is tired of our persistent appeals, pleas, demonstrations and threats against corruption. It is time to act and act decisively to end this vice, especially the temptations in public service," Mudavadi said.

The Prime CS assured Ruto that the Executive is ready to help him in the fight, questioning the missing link in dealing with graft culprits.